Hi Danny . . . I have a D5500 and am very pleased with it. It's a step up from the 3400, and I especially like the articulating touch screen. My next upgrade will be for a D500, but will have to save up for quite a bit before that is possible.
I feel your pain . . . I had robotic prostate cancer surgery Monday and now I'm laid up with a catheter for a week and probably a diaper for a while after that. I'm miserable but hopefully it will pass. Just been on uhh pretty constantly since I can't do much else. . .
I have a nikon D5500 and especially like the articulating touch screen. For "shooting sports", I think I'd stick with my Tamron 18-270 because at the gun range, I might want to go with the wide angle and sometimes the medium telephoto. It also works well for wildlife. Now if i really need to get in close for wildlife/birds I have the Tamron 150-600 G2 (it costs twice as much as the D5500). If I upgrade it will be to the D500.
Been there . . . Done that . . .
I have one where the legs will really angle out to get low and you can replace the center post with a very short one . . . It's good for getting low. Some folks use a sandbag to put on the ground, a rock, fence, etc. Also use of a longer lense (my 18-270) versus my 40mm macro allows me to stand back and gives more leeway for positioning myself.
Did you turn off your vc on the lense?
Same here . . . Retired fm AF in 96 . . . Got into photography back in 76 on Guam . . . After a few years I just changed to point & shoot digital, then after my second retirement a couple of years ago . . . Started up again with DSLR . . .
I think the articulating screen would be a plus for video . . . I have a 5500 which is also a "touch" screen which I like very much . . .
I have one very similar to the one the OP is asking about, it's a MeFOTO. And I like it very much, works great for almost all my camera lenses . . . HOWEVER . . . I've already decided that I'm gonna need to go beefier head and tripod for my 150-600 Tamron. . . .
Looks pretty good to me and price is reasonable. I like the arca compatible ball head, the ability to convert to a monopod, and the extra short center column for getting low to the ground. The only downside I see is that it's too long to be a travel tripod. A lot depends on your intended use . . .
I live in Alaska . . . And Yes . . . Her pie chart is Right On . . .
I love my Tamron 18-270 mm lens for an all around carry lens. That's the one I take when traveling. I have a super wide and a super tele, but the 18-270 stays on my camera about 90% of the time.
I had a D3300 then upgraded to the D5500 . . . the best part about the upgrade is the built in WIFI and a articulating touch screen. For just a little more . . . i'd go with the D5500/5600 over the D3300/3400 . . . .
I'd go with the D500 if I could afford it. The crop factor will definitely be a help with wildlife photography. And, it's a couple of generations ahead of the D750. For portrait and landscape, the full frame D750 would probably give a little better quality, but for long range stuff and action . . . the crop framed camera is king. The D500 sounds like a better choice for an all around camera. . . .
I always look at the sporting goods stores . . . Cabelas, Bass Pro, Sportsman's Warehouse . . . they seem to have a good selection . . .